New signing Manuel Ugarte is not available when Manchester United take on Liverpool in their Premier League showdown this afternoon.
Arne Gadgets gets his first taste of the biggest game in English football with his counterpart Erik ten Hag already under pressure after last week’s defeat at Brighton.
A couple of United’s new signings are hoping to make their first starting appearances at Old Trafford today but Ugarte is not one of them.
The Uruguay international officially completed his move from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day for a fee that could rise to £52million.
However, the midfielder was not registered in time to be available for selection this weekend.
Ten Hag spoke to the press on Friday where he ruled out the possibility of Rasmus Hojlund returning from a hamstring injury suffered during pre-season. The striker was spotted back on the training pitch but will not be considered for selection until after the international break.
Mason Mount is another who will not be involved this weekend after he was forced off at half-time against Brighton.
The former Chelsea star saw his first season at the club derailed by injury and is facing another spell on the sidelines. Mount explained in a statement this week he will ‘miss the next few games’.
Joshua Zirkzee replaced Mount in games against Fulham and Brighton and will hope for a starting role in the midfielder’s absence this weekend.
In addition to Hojlund and Mount, United remain without Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw.
Noussair Mazraoui is expected to continue at right-back with Diogo Dalot deployed at left-back in the opening games of the season. Matthijs de Ligt meanwhile is still waiting for his first start having come off the bench against Fulham and Brighton.
Ten Hag also has a big decision to make in wide positions with Alejandro Garnacho pushing for a start.
Liverpool meanwhile have a relatively clean bill of health with Curtis Jones their only doubt after he missed training this week.
The Reds completed the signing of Federico Chiesa from Juventus this week and while he has been registered in time to play Sunday, Gadgets says it is unlikely he will feature.
‘He’s going to train with us today but it’s a bigger chance that he is not in the squad for Sunday than he is,” Gadgets said on Friday.
‘If injuries might come up in the upcoming two days we might need him, but I don’t expect him to be in but I cannot guarantee this.’
Gadgets has quickly settled on his preferred starting XI with Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota taking up key roles in midfield and attack.
Ibrahima Konate coming in for Jarell Quansah was the only change made to the side for Sunday’s 2-0 win over Brentford. The Liverpool youngster was hooked at half-time on the opening weekend of the season against Ipswich but his omission last week was due to an injury suffered in training midweek.
Predicted Man Utd XI to face Liverpool
Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Zirkzee
Predicted Liverpool XI to face Man Utd
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Jota
Where to watch Man Utd vs Liverpool? Kick-off time and TV channel
Man Utd vs Liverpool kicks off at 4pm on Sunday 1 September.
Live coverage is available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
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